Six decorating tips for a home sweet home
Design ideas
Colour, laughter and charm were the main themes
for Sacha Grierson when it
came to decorating the home
she shares with her daughter,
Lola. “I wanted to create a space where both kids
and adults would feel at home,” says the former Los
Angeles media-relations dynamo and stylist. Sacha
came back to Canada a few years ago to join her
mother at the helm of Eat My Words, an edible-goods
company that raises money for the StephenLewis Foundation. Since then, the company has
skyrocketed to cult-like status for its delicious,
artfully decorated cupcakes that look like beautiful
flowers. From the passion she brings to her work to
the bold colour she chose for the front door of her
midtown-Toronto semi, it’s obvious Sacha leads with
her heart in everything she does. And this same
enthusiasm and vision continues inside her home.
Tribal touches (a nod to her South African heritage)
mix perfectly with vintage gilded mirrors, ethnic
fabrics pop beside British antiques, and the end
result is a modern, stylish home that glows with
personality. Definitely no wallflowers here.
Add colour
with accessories
A neutral palette equals decorating
freedom. Opt for a white sofa, walls and
blinds, then layer in the season’s hottest
hues and patterns with throw cushions
and accent pieces.
Get this look: Armchair, Anthropologie.
Choose one oversized, ornate piece
There’s nothing like a little glitz and glam. Whether
you’re a modernist who gravitates toward clean and
simple shapes, a traditionalist who loves gold and plush
textures or somewhere in between, an over-the-top
touch always fills a room with life.
Get this look: Coffee table, West Elm. Accent cushions,
HomeSense. Cowhide carpet, InStyle Home & Rugs. Sofa, Ikea. Flowers, Pink Twig. Dinnerware, Anthropologie. Beaded
elephant, Eat My Words. Dining table, Morba. Bench,
Pavilion. Dining chairs, homeowner’s own. Mirror,
Ely's Glass.
Replace an island with an airy, movable table
Make the most of a narrow galley kitchen by choosing a counter-height table
instead of a solid island unit. It lets light through and easily tucks away if you
need more room. Plus, stainless steel looks great in most kitchens.
Get this look: Interior design by Alexander Josipovicz, Studio Pyramid. Island, Ikea. Vintage car, home owner’s own .
Put up some playful wall art
Add a sense of fun to
a kid’s bedroom with a
decal. Or try your hand at
making one with vintage-wallpaper
remnants. Just
draw the shape on the
back, cut out and paste up!
Get this look: Wall decal,
Kol Kid.
Pull out your vintage quilts
An heirloom bedspread
offers a pretty and delicate
touch in a modern kid’s
room. Choose accessories
that pick up colours from
the quilt to unify the room.
And try stackable open
cubes as side tables — they
make great toy storage.
Get this look: Quilts,
Châtelet. Pink lamp,
Pottery Barn Kids. Side
table, Zuo.
Make your own stunning one-of-a-kind headboard
There’s no need to invest in expensive art, simply hang
a beautiful rug over your bed. Or get a more polished
look by upholstering an oversized headboard with your
favourite fabric. Keep the rest of the room neutral and
you’ll create a striking focal point.
Get this look: Headboard fabric, homeowner’s own. Bedding,
West Elm. Philippe Starck Louis chair, Plan B. Quilt, Kerry Cassill.
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